Milling machine



Aug. 20, 1935. F.' NENNINGER ET AL 2,012,081

MILLING MACHINE 7 Filed Sept. 28, 1929 10' Sheets-Sheet 1 LESTEP F NENN/NGER HANS ERNST gwuenfou Aug. 20, 1935.

L. F. NENNINGER ET AL MILLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 28, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 2' gwue'ntow LESTER F NENN/NGEE H/ws ERNST 1935- L. F. NENNINGER ET AL 2,012,081

MILLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 28, 1929 r 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 gwuentou Li"; A LESTER F NENNINGER HANS ERNST Aug. 20, 1935.

L. F. NENNINGER ET AL MILLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 28, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheei 4 I 1.: P IH Una M LI Aug. 20; 1935 1.. F. NENNINGER AL 2,012,081

MILLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 28, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 m MIL g 5 Q m w m gwvemtog LESTER F NENNINGER. HANS EPA/5'7 L. F. NENNINGER ET AL 2,012,081

MILLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 28, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 HANS Ekrvs-r Aug. 20, 1935.

| F. NENNINGERET AL 2,012,081-

MILLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 28, 1929 Aug. 20, 1935.

10 She etSSheet 8 gwumtoq LESTEEF NENNINGE? HA N5 E PNsT Aug. 20, 1935. 1.. F. NENNINGER ET AL MILLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 28, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 LESTER F NENNINGEE H/ws ER-5T-- Aug. 20, 1935. 1.. F. NENNINGER ET AL 2,012,081

MILLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 28, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 gwwntou LESTER f-T NENN/NfiEE HANs ERNsT Patented Aug. 20, 1935 "UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Ohio, assignors to The Cincinnati Milling Machine Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application September 28,1929, Serial No. 395,929

t 51 Claims. (01. 90-21) This invention relates to improvements in most rapidly and selectively determinin the rate of actuation of a given part of the tool.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a rate adjusting mechanism capable of power actuation to expedite the movement thereof, in which the mechanism may be set for a" desired rate and later actuated to effect that rate. thus allowing the operator opportunity to anticipate rate change requirements, which may be immediately effected at the required time with a minimum of attention.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of an improved hydraulically actuated rate changing mechanism for machine tool transmissions.

Other objects of the invention include an improved mechanism for effecting spindle rotation rates and translatory movement rates through a combination of mechanically and hydraulically actuated control mechanism which will greatly facilitate attainment of the ultimate desired results by the operator.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention should be readily apparent by reference to the following specification, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrative of one embodiment thereof, but it will be understood that wemay make any modifications in the specific structural details hereinafter disclosed, within the scope of the appended claims, without-departing from or exceeding the spirit. of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, in which likerefer ence numerals indicate like parts:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a milling ma- 1,

partially in section as on linel-J of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a transverse section through, the

fmachine aspn-l'me 5-5 of Figure 1, showing,

the general clutch control mechanism.

cam shown in Figure 14.

Figure 6 is a developed sectional view through the spindle drive gearing.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view of the knockout mechanism.

Figure 8 is a partially sectional elevation of the I spindle speed control mechanism.

Figure 9 is a end view thereof.-

Figure 10 is a sectional view on line III-40 of Figure 8.

Figure 11 is a sectional view on line Ii of Fig- 10 ure 10, showing details of the piston interlock.

Figure 12 is a sectional development of the variable feed drive transmission to the translatable parts of the machine tool; such as saddle, table and knee. )5

Figure 13 is a developed view showing the control cams forthe variable feed transmission.

Figure 14 is a detailed vertical section of the rate changer control train from the front of the machine.

Figure 15 is a detail view as on. line |5-i5 of Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a; detail of the automatic neutralizer;

Figure 1'7 is a sectional developed view of the starting control valve. I

Figure 18 is an end view of the left end of- Figure 17.

Figure 19 Ba view as on line l9-l9 of Figure 17.

Figure 20 is an end detail view-as on line so 2o 2o of Figure 19..

Figure 21 is a detail view'of the cylinder for shifting the back gear.

Figure 22 is a sectional view of the selector valve.

Figure 23 is a sectional view through the accumulator valve. v.

Figure 24 is a view showing the mounting of the pump and accumulator. I

Figure 25 is a diagrammatic view of the piping of the' hydraulic speed gear shift control-system. Figure 26 is a developed view of the control Figures 27 to 34, inclusive, are sectional views on lines 21 to 34 respectively of Figure 22. 45

Figure 35 is a sectional elevation on line 35-35 of Figure 5.

Figure 36 is a perspective view of the automatic. feed drive knockout mechanism.

In the drawings, the principles of the present invention have been shown in a specific embodiment as applied to a milling machine, including a bed A having 'a column B within which is journaled aspindle C. The column is provided with ways on which a knee D is vertically movable and latable unit .or table F is mounted on the saddle, suitable power drive being preferably coupled 6 with the knee, saddle and table to effect desired.

translatory movements thereof, so that the distance between the table and spindle may be varled and, in addition, the work supporting portion of the tablev may be given translatory movements both parallel with and transversely of the axis of thecutter spindle C.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the numeral designates a control handlein this case intended to determine quick traverse movement of a selected part. The handle is carried by a sleeve 5| mounted in the saddle, within which telescopes shaft 52 extending rearwardly from the saddle through a bearing block 53 supported by the knee D adjacent the speed box unit 54, illustrated as disposed upon the column. Shaft 52 has a pinion 55'. meshing with a rack portion on plunger 56 which has an additional rack portion 5l meshing with gear 58 which is slidably mounted on the splined shaft 59. The arrangement is such that a rotation of the sleeve 5I by the handle 59 imparts a rotation to the shaft 59, which movement is not interfered with by the in and out movement of the saddle .or the up and down movement of the knee. It is also important to note that the shaft' 52 extends through the bearing block 53 and is provided with a handle 60, thus making it possible to oscillate the shaft 59 and thus control. the quick traverse movement from the operators normal position at the front of the machine or from a position alongsideoi the column in case it is necessary to operate the machine from that point.

The shaft 59 also has a 'reciprocatory movement to control the power gear shifting mechanism, which will be'described later, and this is accomplished through mechanism which will now be described.

Journaled in the knee is a spindle 6 I,.Figure 14, actuable by a handle 62 and coupled through linkage 63 with shaft 64 having a rock lug 65 for oscillation ofsplined shaft 66 which, through the key 61, imparts oscillation to the sleeve 68 rotatably mounted in the base A of the machine.

' The sleeve 68 carries at its lower end a cam 69, shown in developed view in Figure 26, which is coupled by pin 10 to shaft 1 I for oscillation thereof. A rock lug I2, Figure 15, is provided on the end of shaft II' for reciprocating the shaft '59 which is rotatably and slidably mounted at its upper end in the lug 13 of the speed box. It is thus seen that the shaft 59 may be given a recip rocating movement by the handle 62, irrespective of the up and down movements of the knee. The linkage 68, as shown in Figure 16, is provided with a neutralizer consisting of a cam member 14 and a spring pressed roller 15, the construction being such that thehandle' 62 must be held by manual pressure to drive the gear shifting mechanism for the feed transmission or the selector control valve of the spindle speed transmission.

The rotational movement of the shaft 59 acts through the pinion 16 to oscillate plunger 11 hav-' ing rack teeth 18 thereby rotating shaft I9. The shaft I9 is provided with a rock lug 88 which inireciprocatory movement to the clutch control shaft 8| which has mounted. thereon shifter 82 for moving the clutch member 83 into connection with the feed or rapid traverse. The reciprocatory movement of shaft 59 rotates the shaft 84 which has a rock lug 85 for moving the control member 86 which member has 'lost motion' connections with bell cranks 81 and 88 for con-v trolling the application of power to the gear shifting mechanism. It is thus apparent that the shaft 59 may be oscillated through the handle 58 to control the application of the rapid traverse movement to the moving part and thatit may also be reciprocated by the handle 62 to control position shown in Figure 5 it shifts the bell crank 81 thereby moving clutch member 94 to the left as shown in Figure 5 to thereby drive the worm 95 which through the worm 96 rotates the selector control valve which thereby controls the:

spindle speed rate by means of fluid pressure.

It will be noted that the connection between bell crank 88 and member 86 is that of a pin 96 engaged in a slot 91 in the member, as a result of which downward movement of the lever 86 will not effect bell crank '88 which is held in engagement with the cam 98 by the spring 99. This same downward movement however, of the lever 86 acts through the roller- I00 to move the bell crank 81 against the tension of the spring Since the roller I00 merely engages the free end of the lever 86, upward movement of the lever will not effect the bell crank 87 which will be held in neutral position against the cam 98 by the tension of the spring 99.

The claim 98 is mounted on the end of a shaft IIlI which extends through the speed box 54 and is provided with a handle I02, as shown in Figure 1. The handle I02 thus forms a manual control when the operator is adjacent the column for controlling the feed rate or for preselecting spindle speed.

The spindle speed control mechanism The sleeve I03 is provided with a gear pfortion:-

or ring I04 driving the gear train I85, I06, I91, which later serves to supply power to worm I88 for'continuous power actuation thereof. This power is transmitted through gear I09, pinion IIII, clutch II'I, shaft H2, worm gears 95 and 96 to the rotatable member II8 of the selector control valve H4. The selector control valve H4 is composed of the valve member 8 journaled in the frame of the machine and the sleevesI I5, I28, the inner one being shrunk into longitudinally on the periphery of the member.

H5 and each groove has one or more radial bores or ports II6 connecting with the inside of the sleeve. The member H3 has a longitudinal central bore II8 for receiving the fluid pressure and has a series of radial bores or inlet ports.- II I extending to its periphery, there being one radial bore in the plane of each annular groove in the sleeve 5. The circumferential position of these radial bores with respect to eachother is clearly shown in Figures 27-84 inclusive.

- chine.

through the flexible chain I52, the sprocket beelusive. The outside sleeve I20 has tapped into it a. series of pipes I2I to I28 inclusive as shown in Figure 25, each pipe registering with an annular groove H6 in the sleeve II5. It is now' evident that when'a channel 1' in the member II3 registers with a port H6 in the sleeve H5,-

fluid under pressure will immediatey flow from the bore I I8 to the respective annular groove I I6 and thence to the pipe connected to that groove. It is also apparent that when an outlet port 322 registers with a port H6 in the sleeve II5 returning fluid from a pipe will have free access to the reservoir through the annular groove with which the pipe connects, port I I6 outlet port 322, bore 320 and pipe 32I. Thus any pipe I2I to I28 inclusive and its respective cylinder may be connected to either a source of fluid pressure or to an exhaust.

Referring to Figure it will be seen that the pipes I2I- and I28-are connected with cylinders I29.and I30 respectively for movement of the gear couplet I3I, I32 through the shifter arm I33 The pipes I22 and I21 are connected with cylinders I34, I35 respectively for movement of the gear couplet I36, I31 through the shifter arm I38. Similarly pipes I23 and I26 are connected to cylinders I39, I for movement of the gear couplet I4I, I42 through the shifter arm I43 and pipes I24I25 are connected to cylinders I44-I45 for movement of the gear couplet I46-I41 through shifter arm I48. These shiftable gear couplets are the means whereby 16 speeds may be obtained in the spindle transmission which will now be described.

The gear couplet I46-I41 and I4II42 are slidably mounted upon shaft I49 which is driven by a motor I50 mounted in the base of the ma- The motor drives the sprocket I5I mounted on a shaft I6I which is connected to the shaft I59 through'a reverser' I62 is a slidable gear couplet I3I--I32 which may be connected respectivelywith gears I63 or I64"which are fixedly connected to the cutter spindle. I65 whereby the cutter spindle may be driven at any one of sixteen different speeds.

The reverser I62 consists of the gear I66 fixed with the shaft I6I and the slidably mounted gear I61 on the shaft I59 and the pinion I88 keyed to the stud shaft I69. The gear I'61 when moved to the right. hand position as shown in Figure 6 meshes directly with thegear I66 to drive the shaft I6I in. one'direction andwhen moved ,to its left hand position drives the gear I66 through the'pinions I68' I68 to drive the shaft I6I in a reversed direction.

The slidable' gear I61 is manually operated through the handle m the speed box 54.

The description of the details of the gear shifting cylinders whereby they may efi'ect any one of the sixteen speeds of the spindle transmission will now be described. The'cylinders I44-I46 have slidably mounted therein a piston I12 which has centrally mounted thereon a shifter arm I48 coupledwith the slidable gear couplet I46 and I41. On each end of the piston I12 are sleevew I15 which may move longitudinally independentmounted on the top of I ly of the piston. These sleeves have an enlarged portion I16 within the cylinders I44 and I which 2 forms a shoulder to engage a plate I11 whereby when fluid pressure is admitted to each cylinder the. enlarged portion I16 will be forced against plate I11 acting as a'stop.

The end of each sleeve will engage the shifter arm I48 to center it and the piston in aneutral position irrespective of their former position. flhis forms an accurate and positive means for neutralizing the position of the gear couplet I46--I41. The cylinders I39I40 have piston I18 slidably mounted therein, the piston having sleeves similar topiston I12 for moving the gear couplet I4II42 to neutral position.

An interlock is provided between the shifter I arms I48 and I43, whereby one shifter arm cannot move its gear couplet into driving engagement until the other shifter arm has moved its gear couplet into neutral position. This positively prevents the two gear couplets from being in driving engagement at the same time and thus cause damage 'to the transmission.

Each shifter arm is provided with a flat surface as shown in Figure 10 on which surfaces are mounted the'inter-locking elements. Attached to the fiat surface of arm I48 and movable therewith is block I18 having a semi-circular cut-out portion as shown in Figure 11. Attached to. the arm I43 and movable therewithis the rectangular block I19 and pin I80. Pivoted in a fixed portion of the, machine is the semi-circular lock piece I8I having a V-shaped groove I82. The operation of this structure is that upon reciprocation of the arm I43 to its neutral position for instance the pin I80 will engage the V shaped groove and rotate the lock member I8I so its flat side will be horizontal as viewed in Figure 11. As soon as the fiat surface I83 of the lock member I8I attains a horizontal position it permits the block I18 and thereby'the arm I48 to move' under fluid pressure to shift its gear couplet. As

soon as the block I18 moves, one of its fiat surfaces I84 will engage the fiat surface I83 of the lock member and thus prevent rotation thereof and thereby retain the block I19 and its arm I43 in neutral position. It is thus seen that when the surface I83 and I84 are parallel with one.

another and the blocks I18 and I19 are in vertical alignment both shifter means are in neutral .position and either one may be moved but shifter arm has returned its gear couplet to neutral position.

' It will be noted from the above that the shifter arms are moved to neutral position only when pressure is admitted to each cylinder of the one piston but when pressure is admitted to one cylinder at one end of the piston and the other cylinder is connected to the return, the difference arm. The shifter arm will in turn move the sleeve that is in the cylinder connected to the return and this makes it possible to move the attached gear couplet from neutral position to driving engagement. The spring pressed balls 340 acting in detents 3 hold the arms in their various positions.

The construction of the other gear shifting cylinders is somewhat simpler. The cylinders I34- I35 for iristancehave slidably mounted therein the piston I carrying the shifter arm I38 fixedly attached thereto. Upon the admission of pressure to either cylinder I34 or I35 the piston I85 is reciprocated to move either gear I38 or gear I3l into driving engagement and it will be noted has no neutral position.

The cylinders I29 and I30 as shown in Figure 21 are of similar construction having the piston I86 which moves, through the crank-arm 181 the gear couplet I3I-I32 and which'has no neutral position. v

The selector control valve may be rotated to any one" of sixteen positions to select any ,one of the sixteen speeds of the spindle transmission.

We have preferably shown an arrangement for obtaining this number of speeds but of course it will be understood that any other number of speeds may be obtained by a slight modification of this system. In order to insure that the rotat able element II3 oi the selector valve will index itself properly to a given position there is provided a star wheel I88 on the end of the member II3 as shown in Figure 9. An index pawl I90 is mounted on one end of the shaft I89 and has fixed therewith an arm I9I the arm being provided with a spring I92 having one end attached 'to a fixed portion of the machine. The spring, through arm I9I holds the indexpawl engaged with the star wheel and thus insures through engagement with the notches thereoi, the accurate positioning of the same.

In order that the operator may know to what position the selector control valve is indexed to there is provided an indicator I93 mounted on the exterior of the speed change box and rotated through gears I94 and I95'by the shaft I I2which also rotates the member II3. It is thus seen that any movement or the member H3 is simultaneously recorded on the indicator.

, The operation of the selector control valve and its function in the systemis as follows:

The operator, upon proper manipulation of the handle 62 engages clutch member III whereby the member H3 and indicator I92 rotate until the speed at which cutter spindle is indicated by the indicator. The indicator dial has the various speeds marked on its beveled face and there is provided a pointer orin'dex line I82 on the speed box cover as I shown in Figure 1. When the desired speed is thus indicated, the operator promptly disengages the clutch III and the spring pressed pawl I98 comes 'into operation to accurately index the member H3. The selector valve is now in such a position that upon the subsequent admission of fluid pressure into the system the proper pistons will be actuatedi lto shift their respective gears in eiiect in the cutter spindle the speed desired by the operator. i

The admission ,oi pressure to the selector control valve is. governed by a valve mounted in the starting lever which will now be described.

it is desired to rotate the Referring to Figures 1'? and 25 there is mounted in the upper part of the column a bushing I88 in which is journaled avalve I9'I. having fixed theref to at one end jaws I98--I99 between which is pivotally mounted starting" lever 288. At theother end of the member I91 is pinned the crank ar'm' 28I which'actuates through the lever 282 and -"the bell cranl; 283, a clutch I53 which operatively connects the prime mover with the spindle transmission.

It is thus seen that rotation of the lever 288 about the axis on the member I91 will start or stop the spindle transmission.

Projecting from the bushing I95 is a stop m' 203 having one side cut away forming a flat as shown in Figure 18. This permits the lever 288 to berotated on its pivotal mounting 204 to reciprocate plunger 205 which controls the admission of fluid pressure from the accumulator M9 to the selector valve lit. The purpose of the pin 203 is to allow the starting lever 288 who rotated about its pivot 284 only when it is in the position as shown in Figure 18. When the starting lever is rotated about its other axis thatis, the axis of the member I9I,'; the end 286 will engage the top of the pin 203 thus preventing movement about the pivot' 204 and insuring that fluid pressure will only be admitted to the gear shifting mechanism when the driving clutch 458 is disengaged. Plunger 205 is provided with an annular groove 201 by means of which when in the position shown in Figure 1'? fluid pressure coming through pipe 208 and port 209 is admitted through port 2I0 and pipe 2 to the selector valve. e I

A radial channel 2I2 is drilled in the annular groove and connects with a central bore III.

This bore is adapted to be closed by a ball which is mounted iii an enlarged portion of the bore and retained therein by a threaded plug 2.

The threaded plug has a small drilled hole longitudinally through the center of it thus allowing the leakage of the fluid pressure into the chamber 2I5. The fluidgwhich gains admittance to the chamber 2I5 may graduallyflow back to the res- 'ervoir through the small opening 2I8 provided in the member I91. Fluid pressure may also be adv mitted to the chamber 2" by means oi port 2I8 and the channel 2 I 9 which also connects with the port 209. Plunger 205, in its normal position is at the left in Figure 17 and bearing against the end oi plunger pin 220. In this position port 288 is closed thus preventing flow of fluid to the selector control valve and allowing the admittance oi fluid pressure to the chamber 2I'I tending to hold the plunger 205 in this position. Upon movement of the lever 280 about its pivot 284 the plunger pin 220 will move longitudinally to the right thus forcing the plunger 205 to the right to the position as it is shown in'Figure 1'7. The moment that the port 209 is uncovered fluid pressure will rush into the chamber 2I5 and assist the movement of the plunger 205 to the right. This operatlon effects the desired gear shift in the spindle transmission and it will be noted, while the drivr ing clutch I53 is in a disengaged position. The

handle 200 is now returned to the vertical position as shown in Figure 17 and rotation about the axis of the member I91 will engage the driving clutch I58. Simultaneously with this movement 01' engaging the clutch the plunger- 28! will be returned to its normal position. This is eflected by providing thearm 20I with aproiection 22! which engages a cam surface 222 of the pivotally mountto a collar 224 against which lever 223 bears.

The operation is such that the projection22l forces the lever 223 to the left as shown in-Figum 17 and by means of the collar 224 returns the plunger 205 to its normal position. As the plunger 205 moves toward the left, it will close the port 209 and uncover the port 2I8 thus' allowing the admission of fluid to the chamber 2I1 which will assist the returning movement. Fluid will now become entrapped in the chamber 2I5 which will force the ball against its seat and due to 'the smallness of the opening 2I6 will retard movement of the plunger 205 This results in a very important effect in that the clutch I53 will be engaged slowly thus causing the gears of the transmission to be slowly rotated at first. This gives a chance for any gears that are to be shifted to properly mesh before full power is applied thereto. It acts as a check against careless operators who might apply the full power to the transmission before the gears have become properly intermeshed. The accumulator which supplies the fluid pressure to the starting valve will now be' described.

Referring to Figure 24 there is mounted on the inside of the column, the accumulator 9 having the pump 225 mounted on the top thereof.

A reservoir 226 is provided in the base of the v machine from which the pump forces fluid, preferably oil, into the accumulator II9 through pipe 221. The accumulator valve is composed of the fixed bushing 228 having three longitudinal channels 229, 230 and 23I cut in the periphery thereof. The interior bore of the bushing is 'divided into an upper and lower chamber by a plug 230' pinned in the central part thereof. In the lower chamber is the slidable valve. member 232 which is held by gravity in the lower part of the chamber. ,In the upper chamber is a slidable valve member. 235 having annular grooves 236,

231and 238. This valve has a shoulder 239 which is held against a seat by a spring 240.' The fluid flows into the accumulator through pipe 221,

passes through channel 2 lifting the ball 242 the upper chamber of the bushing 226 and beneath the valve 235 tending to lift the same against the pressure of the spring 240. As the pressure increases the valve 235 will lift closing 011 port 244 to the supply of fluid pressure and bringing the annular groove 236 opposite the port 244 thus allowing the oil in thechamber 24s to vent to the atmosphere through the longitudinal bore 241 in the valve member 235. This movement also connects the port 248 with the flui supply through the annular groove 231 whic fluid by means of the groove 3:9 passes beneat valve 232 lifting the same.

-When--the pressure of the ff din-the pressure chamber has reached a predetermined maximum, the valve 232 will be lifted to such a position that the port 325 which has direct connection to pipe 221 through the channels shown in Figure 23, will be connected to the pipe 326 whichleads to the lubricating system. The back pressure in the lubricating system being relatively small, that is,

tioning of the pump.

about atmospheric pressure as compared-to the v high pressure in the pressure chamber that the moment the port 325 is connected with the pipe 326, the pressure in the channels 321 immediately drops causing the ball 242 to seat and hold the pressure in the pressure chamber, while the pump tem. It is thus seen that the accumulator stores fluid underhigh pressure for use in the gear shifting mechanism and when the pressure is at a forces fluid into the low pressure lubricating syspredetermined maximum causes fluid to be supplied to a low pressure system.

It is of course apparent that as soon as the pressure in the pressure chamber drops below the predetermined maximum that the slidable valve 235 will drop under the pressureof the spring causing a reverse operation of the parts. The

valve member 232 will drop thus building up,

pressure in the channel 321 and causing the pump to force fluid again into the pressure chamber past the ball 242.

The pump is driven directly from the motor I50, through the gear I01, Figure 12=and thus is continuously driven as long as power is applied to the machine. The gear I01 is keyed to its shaft which drives the pump 225 through the Oldham coupling 326. This allows for any'inaccuracy in the posiil'he feed transmission The feed transmission is particularly illustrated in Figures 12 and 13 of the drawings. It includes a rapid traverse transmission operable at a fixed rate and a sliding gear transmission variably adjustable to obtain. at will any one of sixteen selected feeding rates. The primary shaft of this transmission is'shaft 249 which is driven by pinion 250 on sleeve 25I which bears worm 252 driven by gear I01 and associate gear train from thegear me mber I04 actuated directly coupled with the main drive sprocket I5I of the machine as particularly illustrated in Figure 6. Shaft 249 is splined to slidably receive the gear couplet 253-254 and the second couplet, 255256. Disposed adjacent shaft 249 is a second shaft 251 having keyed thereto a gear member 256 for actuation by gear 256. A second gear unit 259 has a portion 260 for alternative engagement by gear 255 of shaft 249 and a portion 26I engageable by gear 262 of sliding unit 263 having a second portion 264 alternatively engageable with pinion 265 of the couplet 266 keyed to shaft 251 and having the large gear 261 for engagement with gear 253 of shaft 249. It will thus beseen that by translation of units 253-254 and 255 256 shaft 251 may be actuated at four different speeds and these maybe communicated in turn through unit 263 to drive shaft 268 at 8 different selected speeds. 1

Disposed adjacent shaft 268 is the 4th transmission shaft 269 bearing the sliding couplet 210 comprising a pinion gear 2" for engagement with gear 212 on shaft 268 and the large gear 213 for engagement with pinion 214 on shaft 266 whereby shaft 269 may be variably actuated at 16 di fierent speeds depending on the relative positioning of the several sliding gear units just referred to.

Secured in the column portion-of the machine is a bushing 215ihaving rotatably mounted thereon a clutch member 216 serving as a support for ring gear 211 normally locked thereto as by the ball safety devices 218 capable of slippage under having on one end a bevel gear drive pinion 299 and having its opposite end journaled within the sleeve portion 29I of the clutch flange member 292. This shaft has centrally splined thereon the clutch spool 93 provided on one end with clutch teeth 289 for interlocking engagement with the teeth 299 of member 219 and at its opposite end has the internal beveled portion 299 designed to operate the clutch fingers 281.

' when shifted to the right as viewed in Figure 12 the member 93 interlocks with member 219 to drive shaft 219 and thus through bevel gear Feed transmission control Power means are provided for rapid automatic sequential shifting of the several, translatable sliding gear units to vary the final feed rate effective through the feed transmission. The drive for this control mechanism is taken from shaft 299 through gears 293 and 299 to shaft 299 to worm 93 and thus through clutch 9I-99 to shaft 99 to bevel pinion 299 and intermeshing bevel pinion 291 of cam unit 298, Figure 13.

The general relationship of the control parts will be best understood by reference to Figure 13. Cam member 299 includes a barrel portion 299 having aicam track 399, a barrel portion 39I, having the cam path 392 and having the intermediate gear 393. The barrel 39l is notched as at 399 providing a star wheel'portion engaged by roller 399 of a spring pressed plunger 399 which serves as a combined actuator and detent to aid in completing initiated movement of the cam and to lock'the cam and several parts associated therewith in proper adjusted position.

Disposed adjacent cam member 299 is a second cam unit 391 having a pinion 399 meshing with gear 393 for actuation thereby. This unit is suitablysupported for free rotation and has the barrel portion 399 with cam track 3I9 and a second barrel 3 having cam track 3I2.

Cam path 399 has engaged therein a roller on the shifter lever 3I3 cooperating with the spool portion 3 of the couplet 219 controlling the rate of drive from shaft 299 to 299. The second groove 392 on this main cam unit 299 has engaged therein a roller of the'shift lever 3I9 which is in turn connected with the spool portion of sliding unit 293 for determination of the rate of drive of shaft 299 over shaft 251. This cam therefor controls the gear unit of the upper half of the sliding gear transmission mechanism shown in development in Figure 12.

The cam path 3I9 correspondingly receives a roller in shift lever 3I9 controlling the unit 293-'-299 while path 3I2 actuates the shift lever 3H for the units 259-299. Thus the several relative shiftings in proper sequence as automatically determined by these cams, the 16 successive progressive feed changes are efiected in their proper sequence depending entirely on'the period during which'clutch 9I-99 is efiective for power rotation of shaft 99 and thus of the shift- V ing mechanism. It will be noted that shaft 99 is provided with a gear 3? which drives through intermediate gearing the dial 3I9 carried on the left hand side -9 of the column and serving to indicate by its rotation the progressive shifting of the gears and the several feed rates as the gears move into mesh. In effecting these movements the operator manually actuates handle 92 or handle 10 I92 depending on whether he is exercising control from the front of the machine or a point adjacent the column. Either of these handles will serve to rock the shifter arm or bell crank 98 moving shaft 89 to couple clutch 99-9I and 15 ber 91 and thus an energlzation of the selector control valve .to predetermine the rate of'spindle rotation.

Machine operation mm: For control of the general operation of the machine, use is made of the lever 299 carried by member I91 journaled in the upper part of the column and coupled by arin 29I, link 292 and shifter 293 to the clutch I53. Depression of the 35 lever to the position shown in Figure 1, throws out the clutch I53 and stops the drive of shaft I49 and thus the application 'of power to the spindle. Reverse shifting causes engagement of the clutch when the parts are held in operative relation as by detent means not shown. a As link 292 is shifted by depressing lever 299, pin 339 thereon, Figure 36, engages arm 33I of rock shaft 332 having pinion 333 in engagement with rack 339 on rod 8|. This shifts the rod to the left,

as viewed in Figure 35, compressing spring 339 and moving shifter 32 and member 93 to disconnect the feed clutch 299-299. These parts are thereforeheld in inoperative position, preventing power actuation of the feed-drive when the spindle is stopped. 'Ihis, however, in nowise I interferes with a further shifting of member 93 in the event that it is desired to employ the continuously nmning power rapid traverse. when lever 299 is raised from the position shown 1111 5 Figure ,1, to render clutch I93 effective, spring 339 expands, re-ensasing thefeed clutch. It will be understood that on account of the coupling of member 9| with the hand control 99, for selective engagement 'of feed or rapid travw erse, that this lever is also thrown into neutral position when the lever 299 is depressed. The contact between pin 339 and rock arm 33f, how ever, in nowise interferes with actuation of member 9| through handle 99, for coupling of the quick traverse, drive as desired.

In addition, it will be apparent from the construction that the operation of the clutch I93 in nowise affects the drive to the feed speed transmission, the power gear shifting control for 7 the feed speed and the selector control valve for the spindle speed transmissions, these being in constant rotation as long as the prime mover is actuated. This results in having. the power shifting mechanism and selector control mechthe sliding gears. This adds to the facility and speed of operation of the machine.

We claim 1. A machine tool transmission including'a prime mover and a final part to be rotated thereby, shiftable gear units for determining the rate of actuation of theflnal part from the prime mover, a branch transmission actuated by the prime mover, means operated by the said branch transmission for predetermining the units to be shifted and additional means operated by the prime mover for shifting the units.

2. A machine tool transmission including a prime mover and a final member to be rotated thereby, shiftable gear units for determining the rate of actuation of the final part from the prime mover, a branch transmission actuated by the prime mover, means operated by the said branch transmission for predetermining the units to be shifted, a manual lever for controlling the effective actuation of the branch transmission and additional means for shifting the units.

3. A machine tool transmission including a prime mover and a final member to be rotated thereby, shiftable gear units for determining the .rate of actuation of the final part from the prime mover, abranch transmission actuated by the prime mover, means operated by the said branch transmission for predetermining the said rate of actuation, means also operated by the branch transmission to indicate the preselected rate, and hydraulic means for shifting the units whereby the predetermined rate of actuation becomes effective.

4. In acontrol mechanism for shiftable units of a variable speed transmission, said units adapted to be given a definite setting for a given speed,

a selector valve rotatable to different stations, each station corresponding to a definite setting of the units, manually controlled power means to initiate movement of said valve and detent means to complete the movement of the valve at a given station.

5. In a control mechanism for pressure shiftable gear units mounted on a single driving member for transmitting a plurality of speeds to a driven member, each unit having a neutral position and a power transmitting position on each side thereof, actuators adapted to shift the units to any of these positions and means whereby one unit can be shifted to power transmitting position only when the other unit is in neutral posi-- tion and independent means for operating each actuator.

, 7. In a milling machine having a rotatable spindle, a prime mover, a variable speed transmission, a clutch for operatively connecting the transmissioh with the prime mover to rotate the a spindle, a control mechanism operative upon the 75.

transmission to eflfect speed changes in the spindie, pressure means for actuating the control mechanism and a control valve for said pressure means, unitary means for operating the clutch and the control valve and means in the control.

valve for retarding. the engagement of the clutch. 8. The combination with a milling machine comprising a column, a work support adjustably mounted on the column, a tool spindle journaled in the column, a prime mover, and avariable said units to effect selective'speeds of rotation in the spindle, means for predetermining the units to be shifted, and power means for positioning the predeterminator including a branch transmission actuated by the prime, mover.

9. The combination with a machine tool oroperative relation to the work support, a prime mover, and a variable speed transmission extending from the prime mover to the rotatable tool support for effective rotation thereof, said trans-.

mission including a plurality of shiftable units,

of hydraulically actuated means coupled with each unit, a source of pressure, a selector valve for predetermining the units to be shifted, a

branch transmission constantly driven from the prime mover, clutch means for coupling the selec-.

tor valve with the'branch transmission for actuation thereby, and a control lever adjacent the side'of the table opposite to the column for controlling said clutch means.

10. In combination with a milling machine including a column, a work support translatably supported thereby, a rotatable tool spindle journaled in the column in cooperative relation to the work support, a prime mover, and a variable speed transmission extending from the prime mover to the tool spindle for effecting rotation "thereof, of an hydraulically actuated change speed mechanism mounted in the column in cooperative relation to said transmission, means for determining the speed to be eifected by the mechanism in the spindle including a selector valve, a branch transmission coupled with the prime mover, control means for coupling the valve with the transmission for power rotation and positioning thereof, an indicator 'rotatably mounted on the exterior of the column, and means actuated by the branch transmission for effecting rotation of the indicator in synchronism with the valve to indicate the position of the latter,

1.1 The combination with a machine tool ordraulically actuated means for determining the 'eifectivecoupling of the'other transmission, a source of pressure, a selector valve for predetermining the effective coupling of the hydraulic actuated means with the pressure, a pair of branch transmissions constantly driven by the prime mover, and a single control lever selectively shiftable to couple one of said branch transmissions with the cam means or the other branch speed mechanism mounted in the column adja-' cent said transmission comprising an hydraulically actuated shifter for each shiftable unit of the transmission, a selector valve, individual channels extending from the selector valve to each of said units, a source of pressure, means couplable with the prime mover for power rotating and positioning the selector valve to predetermine the units to be shifted and thereby the speed of the spindl and a control valve interposed between the source of pressure and selector valve and operable by said control lever for efiecting the spindle speed predetermined by the selector valve.

13. The combination with a milling machine having a column, a work support mounted for translation relative to the column, a tool support journaled in the column and disposed in cooperative relation to the work support, and a prime mover, of a variable speed transmission extending from the prime mover to the tool support for effecting rotation thereof, an hydraulically actuated speed change mechanism mounted in the column in cooperative relation to said transmission and having a plurality of pressure operated shifters, .a selector valve, individual channels extending from the selector valve to each of said shifters, said shifters being mounted in opposed pairs, said selector valve having a pressure port and an exhaust port, a pump constantly driven by the prime mover, a pressure channel extendingfrom the pump to said pressure port, a control valve interposed in said line, means to power rotate said selector valve to couple certain of said. shifters with the pressure port and others with the exhaust port to predetermine the speed of the spindle, and control means mounted on the column'and overlying the work support for operating the control valve to finally effect the predetermined speed.

14. The combination with a milling machine having a colunm, a work support reciprocably" mounted on exterior guideways formed on the column, a tool spindle journaled in the column,

and a prime mover in the base of the column, of

a variable speed transmission including shiftable units for impartingrotation to the spindle. a

variable feed transmission for effecting relative movement of the work support with respect to the spindle and constantly driven by the prime mover, clutch means for selectively coupling the variable speed transmission with the prime mover, an hydraulically actuated. speed change mechanism mounted in the column in cooperative relation to the variable speed transmismining" he sion by- 4 1y driven by sion, a source of pressure, a selector valve rotatable to a plurality of stations for predeterspeed tobe' effected in the transmise mechanism upon the admission of pressure thereto, a branch transmission constantthe' prime mover, means to selectively-clutch the branch transmission with the column, a saddle, table and knee mounted on the column for effecting movement of a work piece in a plurality of directions with respect to the spindle, and a prime mover, of a variable speed transmission extending from the primemover to the spindle for effecting rotation thereof, a variable feed ttransmission constantly driven by the prime mover for effecting adjustment ofv the saddle, table and knee, an hydraulically actuated speed change mechanism coupled with the variable speed transmission, a power actuated speed change mechanism coupled with the variable feed transmission, a selector valve, a source of pressure, a branch transmission for selectively actuating the selector valve, a second branch transmission for selectively actuating said power actuated change speed mechanism, a single control lever for selectively coupling either of said branch transmissions with its driven member, separate indicating means coupled with each branch transmission mounted on the exterior of the column for indicating the rate of movement of each support, and detent means for maintaining the parts in their final position upon disconnection of the branch transmissions.

16. The combination with a milling machine comprising a column, a work table supported thereon for translation with respect to the column, a tool spindle journaled in the column in cooperative relation to the translatable table, and a prime mover, of a variable speed transmission extending from the prime mover to the rotatable tool spindle for effecting rotation thereof, said transmission including a plurality of shiftable units, a shifter rod mounted in parallel relation to the axis of each unit and having a shifter .fork intermediate thereof engaging the unit, each rod having a piston formed on its opposed ends, cylinders for receiving each piston, a selector .valve, individual channels extending from each cylinder to theselector valve, said valve having a pressure port and an exhaust port, a cylindrical valve member, means to couple the valve member with the prime mover for power rotation for selectively connecting said cylinders with the pressure port and others with the exhaust port to predetermine the speed of the spindle, and means to connect the valve with the source of pressure to subsequently effect the predetermined speed in the spindle.

17. The combination with a milling machine comprising a column, a spindle journaled therein, a work support organization mounted on the column for translation in a plurality of directions with respect to said spindle, and a prime mover in the column, of a variable speed transmission for coupling the spindle with the prime mover for effecting rotation thereof, said transmission including a pair of shiftable units mounted on asingle driving member for transmitting a plurality of speeds to'a driven member, each unit having a neutral position and a power transmitting position on each side thereof, actuators adapted to shift the units to any of these positions, means to prevent the shifting 01' one unit to a power transmitting positionuntil the other unit is in a neutral position, means carried by the work support oraanization for predetermining the units to be shifted, and additional means carried by the column for subsequently efiecting the energization of the predetermined actuators.

18. The combination with .a milling machine comprising a column, a work support translatably mounted on the column, a cutter spindle journaled in the column in cooperative relation to said work support, and a prime mover, of a variable speed transmission extending from the prime mover to thespindle for efiectingv rotation thereof, said transmission including a plurality of shiftable change speed gears and a reverser gear, hydrau lically actuated shifters for moving the change speed ears, a source of pressure, means carried by the work support for predetermining the shifters to be connected with pressure and thereby the subsequent speed of the spindle, means overlying the table to efiect the admission of pressure to the selected shifters to efiect the predetermined speed, and additional means mounted on the column for shifting said reverse gear to thereby change the direction of rotation of the spindle.

19. The combination with a milling machine comprising a column a tool spindle journaled in the column, and a phi inc mover carried thereby, of

a variable speed transmission for the spindle, a

clutch for connecting the transmission with the prime mover for effecting rotation of the spindle, a control lever, motion transmitting means coupling the control lever to the clutch, a branch transmission coupled with the prime mover for continuous actuation thereby, an hydraulically actuated change speed mechanism mountedin the column in operative relation to the transmission,

a source of pressure, a rotatable selector valve for predetermining the shiftings to be effected by the mechanism, a clutch for coupling the selector valve with the branch transmission for power rotation ,to selective speed predetermining positions, a second control lever, motion transmitting means from said control lever to the branch transmission clutch, and valve means operable by the starting clutch control lever while in disengaged position to effect the admission of pressure to the selector valve-and thereby actuation of the speed change mechanism to efiect the predetermined speed.

20. A milling machine comprising a column, a tool spindle journaledin the column, a prime mover carried thereby, a variable speedtransmission for the spindle, a,clutch for connecting the transmission with the prime mover'for effecting rotation of the spindle, .a control lever, motion transmitting means coupling the control lever to the clutch, a branch transmission coupled with the prime mover for continuous actuation thereby, an hydraulically actuated change speed mech-;

anism mounted in the column inoperative relation to the transmission, a source of pressure, a rotatable selector valve for predetermining the shiftings I to be efiected' by 'the mechanism, a clutch' forcoupling the selector valve with the branch transmission for power rotation to selective speed determining positions, asecond control lever. motion transmitting means from said'control lever to the branch transmission clutch, and

the selector valve and thereby actuation of the speed change mechanism to efiect the predetermined speed, said starting clutch control lever being movable in one p'ane to eifect coupling of the starting clutch and in another plane to effect coupling of the valve means with a source of pres- 213m "combination with a mouse machine having 'a column, a work support adiustably mounted on the column, a spindle journaled in the column in cooperative relation with said work support, a variable speed transmission coupled with the spindle, a prime mover, and a clutch for operatively connecting the transmission with the prime mover to efiect rotation of the spindle,

of an hydraulically actuated speed change control mechanism mounted in the column in operative relation to the transmission, a source of hydraulic pressure, said mechanism including a selector valve for predetermining the speed to be effected in the transmission, a control valve for determining the admission of pressure to the selector valve and thereby the operation of the mechanism, said control valve including a rotatable and reciprocable valve member, a control lever pivotally mounted on one end of the valve stem, motion.

transmitting connections between the valve stem and the starting clutch, said control lever being movable in one plane to effect reciprocation of t'. valve and the admission of pressure to the hydrau' lic shifting mechanism to efiect'a predetermined speed in the transmission and movable in a plane at right angles to the first plane -to effect rotation of the valve and thereby engagement of the starting clutch, and meansto retard said rotation to cause a slow acceleration. or the variable speed transmission.

22. The combination with a milling machine having a column, a work support mounted thereon, a tool spindle journaled in the column in cooperative relation to said work support, a prime mover, anda variable speed transmission extending from the prime mover to the tool spindle for effecting rotation thereof, of an hydraulically actuated change speed mechanism mounted in the column adjacent said transmission, a selector valve for predetermining the speed to be efiected by the mechanism in the transmission, a branch transmission, means to couple the selector valve with the branch transmission for power rotation through ,sele'cted positions, a pump, a second branch transmission continuously operated by the prime mover for driving the pump, an accumulator, a reservoir, inlet and outlet channels connected to the pump for forcing fluid under pressure into the accumulator from the reservoir during rotation-thereof, a control valve, a pressure line extending from the accumulator to'the control valve, channel means connectingthe control valve with the selector valve, and means for opcrating-said" control valve to cause the admission of pressure to the change speed mechanism and thereby the eflfecting of a change in the rate of the spindle, hydraulically actuated speed change mechanism associated with the transmission for shifting the change gears thereof, manually actuated means for controlling the admission of hydraulic pressure to the speed change mechanism to change the rate of spindle rotation, and additional means for manually shifting said reverser to change the direction of spindle rotation.

24. A machine tool transmission including a prime mover and a final member to be rotated thereby, shiftable gear units-in said transmission for determining the rate of actuation of the final member by the prime mover, a branch transmission actuable by the primemover, means operated by the branch transmission for preselecting the units to be shifted, a clutch for coupling the branch transmission to the prime mover, a manual control lever for the clutch, and additional power means for subsequently shifting the preselected units to change the speed of the final member. l

25. A machine tool transmission including a prime mover and a final member to be rotated thereby, shiftable gear units in the transmission for determining thev rate of actuation of the final member by the prime mover, a main clutch for coupling the prime mover with the transmission, a branch transmission, an auxiliary clutch for coupling the branch transmission with the prime mover for actuation thereby, 'means operated by the branch transmission for predetermining the units to be shifted and thereby the speed of the final member, additional means actuated by the branch transmission for indicating the preselected rate, hydraulically actuated means for subsequently shifting said units, a source of hydraulic pressure, a control valve therefor, a main clutch control lever, and means coupling the lever to said valve for determining the admission of pressure to said hydraulically actuated means after disconnecting said main clutch.

26. In a control mechanism for pressure shiftable units of a variable speed transmission, said units being adapted to be given a definite setting for a given speed, a piston coupled to each unit, a cylinder reciprocably receiving each piston, a valve to preselect the units to be subjected to pressure, individual channels connecting the opposite ends of each cylinder to the valve, said valve being rotatable to a plurality of stations, each station corresponding to a different setting of the units, power means for initiating the rotative movement of the valve, resilient means able units of a' variable speed transmission, said for completing the valve movement to the next station after disconnection of the power means,

a source of pressure, and a control valve for cou pling the pressure to'the preselecting valve to shift the units selected thereby.

27. In a control mechanism for pressure shiftunits being adapted to be given a definite setting for a given speed, a piston coupled to each unit, a cylinder reciprocably receiving each piston, a valve to preselect the units to be subjected to pressure, said valve including a. fixed outer member, a plurality of radial ports therein, individual conduits connecting the opposite ends of each cylinder to the respective ports in the outer member, an inner member having a pressure channel and an exhaustchannel rotatably mounted in the fixed member, each channel having a plurality of radial branches terminating'in ports registerable with the ports in the outer member in predetermined order as the member .is rotated. power means for initiating the rotative movement of the valve, resilient means for completing the valve movement to the next station after disconnection of the power means, a source of pressure and a control valve for coupling the pressure to the preselected valve to shift the units selected there- 28. A milling machine having a column, a work support adjustably mounted on guideways formed on one face of .the column, a cutter spindle journaled in the column in co-operative relation to the work support,'a prime mover mounted in the column, a variable speed transmission extending to the spindle, a clutch for coupling the prime mover to the transmission for actuation thereby, a pressure operated rate change mechanism for the transmission, a pressure control valve theremitting means coupling the lever to the valve whereby operation of the spindle starting clutch and the application of pressure to the rate change mechanism may be controlled from either side of the work support.

29. A milling machine having a column, a work support adjustably mounted on guideways formed on one face of the column, a cutter spindle journaled in the column in co-operative relation to the work support, a prime mover mounted in the column, a variable speed transmission extending to the spindle, a clutch for coupling the prime mover to the transmission for actuation thereby, a pressure operated rate change mechanism for the transmission, a pressure contrclvalve therefor, a starting lever pivotally mounted on the side of the column, and overlying the work support, motion transmitting means coupling the lever to the clutch for actuation thereof upon movement of the lever in one direction and additional motion transmitting means connecting the lever to the valve for actuation upon movement of the alever in another direction whereby the operator may selectively control the operation of the starting clutch and the application of pressure to the gear shifting mechanism from either side of the work support.

30. A transmission and control mechanism for l a rotatable spindle of a milling machine compr sing 'a pair of shiftable gear units mounted on a driving shaft for transmitting a plurality of speeds to a secondary shaft, each unit thereof having a' neutral position and a power transmitting position on either side thereof, an intermediate shaft, a shiftable gear unit for coupling the intermediate shaft to the secondary shaft in different ratios, a final shaft driven by the intermediate shaft, a shiftable gear couplet for coupling the final shaft to the spindlein diiferent ratios, a pressure actuated member connected to each shiftable unit, and means for selectively coupling the members with pressure to shift one or both of the last named gear units simultaneously with the shifting of one of said pair of units to a neutral position and subsequently shifting the other one of said pair of units from a neutral position to a power transmitting position.

pling the members with pressure to shift the last named gear units simultaneously with the sh fting of one of said pair of units to a neutral position and subsequently shifting the. other of said pair of units from-a neutral position to a power transmitting position.

32. A transmission and control mechanism for a spindle of a milling machine comprising a pair of shiftable gear units mounted on a driving shaft 

